 |
links | contact us |
|
The BGN News Archive
We hear the Prime Movers are doing a reunion on September 14th at The Burren. A ballet version of Quadrophenia is in the works! Pete Townshend has drafted designer Paul Smith to do the costumes. Here's an article on that in The Gardian. The Cocktail Slippers, Stupidity Fall 2024 Tour has the bands headed to Boston and Portland. Stay tuned for Boston dates. They are in Portland on Sept 26th. Check the gig listings by scrolling down.... Bootleg Dan is now managing The Cynz, who are on JEM Records. The bands has two new releases on JEM Records: Little Miss Lost, they are also on a JEM Mick, Keith, Tribute release playing a killer version of Star Star. RADIO...... Richard Mirsky, a man of great songwriting talent, will be on A Crash Course for the Ravers on September 28. Mirsky always has a lot to talk about. He’s been in countless bands and is probably in half a dozen right now. Facebook page They are on the verge of releasing a new EP. Skybar played three songs from that self-titled EP “Secret” sounded pretty good! It’s now on Bandcamp. We review the EP in the New Music section below. The EP has an alternative sound to it as well as other influences. They had their record release last Saturday at the Midway. You can hear their interview on Rising below. Tim Kelly LRC alumni did his stint on Tuesday Late Risers Club. He began with two older local tunes by Nervous Eaters and Crazy Alice and one new one by Spiller. Tim played a song by Private Function, an Australian group. We talked about their album strangely titled 370HSSV 0773H (which, now that we look at it, spells out 'Hello Asshole' upside down!) but Tim played a song we didn’t mention and that one, “I Dunno What I’m Doing Anymore” is good too.
Tim had a surprise lined up. He found a tape of Lou Miami doing “Fascist Lover” live under the name Max Factor & and the Kozmetix in the WMBR tape library. This version doesn’t have the punk speed or attitude in the versus although it's there in the chorus. The songs is slower and it swings a bit. We don’t know what you would call the style but it’s more traditional rock or R & B. This is a great find after all this time. We have the song below. We got a laugh out of a song Mark Francis played on the Late Risers Club on Wednesday. The title tells the story – “Guitar Center (Sucks)”. There’s a lot of hate for Guitar Center out there. The group Lemon Boy from Seattle takes their shots. Sample lyrics: “Protection plan/no way man” and “Trapped, at Guitar Center/Attacked, at Guitar Center.” They shoot through some licks you might hear on the floor at GC like “Smoke On The Water”, “Ironman” and “Seven Nation Army”.
To hear Mark Francis’ show go to the WMBR archive page and hit the Late Risers Show for Wednesday 6/26. PODCASTS......... Sethyspice was right on the new American Ocelot release on Elastic Glam Breakfast show this week. He played “Happier Times” right after the T. Rex opener. The new Looking Glass War single “See You In Hell, Liberty Bell” was in the line up too, and sounding fine. In the good old days that song would be flooding the local airwaves. Another new cut was Vera Bloom who is from Nashville. “Bohemian Junk” shows her no holds barred attack. It’s funny to us that Sethyspice played “Boston Tea Party” by the Sensational Alex Harvey Band. We wanted it to be about the Berkeley St sixties club but of course it was about the original Boston Tea Party in 1773. The glam classic this week was The Sad with their song “It Ain’t Easy” from 1971. YouTube We’ve become fans of The Voltz by hearing them on the show. This week the song was “Fire Up Indigo”. Bandcamp
Blowing Smoke with Twisted Rico has Sapling . They have such striking songs and arrangements that one’s curiosity is hard to satisfy. All three band members get in the conversation and try to explain how they do things but it’s all complicated. The phrase “outside the box” came up and that covers a lot of territory. They all seem open and accepting of all and any inspiration. They talked a lot about how their career and album tied in with the beginning of Covid. They had a lot of stories on the making of the “Bitchshifter” video which you really should view on YouTube.
Sonic Overload takes you to school with its line-up of hardcore tunes and there’s always a variety of other tunes to break things up. Al Quint used Ray Davies' eightieth birthday to play the Kinks and fill the rest of the set with sixties groups. The Electric Prunes was the obvious one, Zakary Thaks and Del-Vettes were deep dives. Later he played “Six” by The Neats, that song never fails to bring back memories. That was followed by Native Tongue with “Speaking In Captions” again that group sound evokes its era. We liked the punk sound of the Italian group Shitty Life. The song was “Too Much Stimulation.”
The Shitty Life song is part of a split 12 inch with Judy & the Jerks. Their side is 10 rip roaring short hardcore songs . This is a good album on Bandcamp. Available on vinyl too at Refuse Music. Al ended with some songs by James Chance in memory of his death. Sonic Overload now has a Buy Me Coffee page where it is easy to give to support the show. We like the Buy Me Coffee platform. You can give just a sum or subscribe but there’s no exclusivity like the Patreon system. You can hear the whole show on the Sonic Overload web page. Tim Livingstone played two new local songs on his Radio Warfare podcast. They were the Shang Hi Los with “Morganatic Panic” and Crow Follow with “I’m In Love With You.” He also played a newly released song “Break Away” by The Saints. Chris Bailey was working on material before he died in April 2022. This is the first of more material that will come out in the future.
NEW MUSIC/CDs......
We talked about slo-anne’s song “ded” last week. This week the whole album Whiplash was posted on Bandcamp. Slo-anne are a brother and sister duo originally from Connecticut, but on the recording there are drums, guitar and bass. Sometimes that bass gives the songs that extra facet that makes them. The intro for “cramps” is a good example of this as well as the song “shitty dreams.” For a duo, the songs manage to have lots of personality. The lyrics are about life and relationships even though it’s usually impressionistic. You always feel it’s close to life and not being obscure on purpose. The music is a smooth flowing indie style with some traditional riff based sections as an offset to that. The drums are up front with the guitar in interest. Your ear can go either way when listening. What this isn’t is a duo that has the drummer bashing away and the guitar turned up to compensate for the lack of other instruments. This group has a new way of doing things. “squelch” is about a summer day but doesn’t follow the rules for a song like that. That’s the way all their songs are. They take a different tack than what you're expecting. We love that. The whole album will charm you.
American Ocelot have a self-titled EP out. This is their second release and it is the first with the current line-up. We liked “Secret” when we heard it for the first time on Skybar’s Rising show. It has an alternative sound to it and a lot of 80s European pop, like Orange Juice. A lot is in that guitar tone. Sharp and a bit of crunch, it’s in a sweet spot. The songwriting and singing also add so much. The song has a few different sections each adding to the effect. They never get loud and on “Recording” they get very soft and the tempo is slow. The organ work sounds very sixties. “Non Participant” is more lively. The vocals here evoke many 80s alternative/arty groups. That’s one of the things that this EP does it shows influences without being derivative. By the time you get to the last song “Happier Times” what the group has accomplished sinks in. Five songs with good songwriting and well thought out lyrics add up to one fine EP.
We have been stuck on The Yum Yum album for days. The first song ‘Vitamin U” is so perfectly bubblegum punk that it’s hard to even move along to the rest of the album. One of the attractions of The Yum Yum’s punk is the sixties songwriting influences that abound. Almost all of the songs carry the punk and pop in equal parts. The guitars say punk the melody says pop. One song that crystalizes a lot is “Dance.” This is pure exuberance. It’s like Chris Montez’“Let’s Dance” doubled or tripled. it's easy to get swept away with the beat, the bass bounding around and the lyrics urging you to do what your body already wants to do – dance. This is what rock was born to do. We have “Dance” on our Top Ten Songs “Candy” is as grandiose as pop punk gets. It’s mostly a wall of guitars with some piano with the vocals raising the song up. This typifies the spot-on recording of the whole album. We have lots of faves on this but you should find your own. Even with 16 cuts the album has such good songs and performances along with some variety in pacing and style that you never lose interest. Rum Bar Records racks up another winner!
Locals The Cretins play a pop punk that almost sounds too good to be local. They play it like it’s in their genes. We can’t imagine them fiddling with the guitars to get the right ‘tone,’ it’s just there. There is a story behind We’re Gonna Get So Old. Some of it is from an earlier album We’re Gonna Get So Laid, but you don’t have to know that to enjoy this album. Like all pop punk the power chords are the structure everything is built on. There are splashes of lead guitar that are excellent playing and make you wish there was more. We liked the hard luck story of the “Quantum Heap.” The songwriting is good and consistent so we have a few faves like: “Coffee”, “Crush”, “I Needed You”, “Overblown”, “Think of You”. This album makes it obvious that we (Bostonians especially) should all be more familiar with The Cretins.
We are always interested in new songs by The Peawees. This Italian group plays a gritty garage style. They have shared the stage with the Fleshtones, The Damned and Radio Birdman. The new song “Banana Tree” is from an upcoming concept album One Ride about an escaped convict who hides as a banana farmer on the Canary Islands. The songs rocks and the guitar tone is dirty and has a bite. These guys just know how to do it. The album comes out in September. You can listen to other songs on their Bandcamp page…start with “Plastic Bullets”
The Cocktail Slippers who got the love from Boston in November 2023 are back with a five song EP. It included the Little Steven produced “I Still Dream You” which is still the highlight here. All the songs are tuneful and easy to like. This group has personality to burn. The song “123” comes with a video filmed on Coney Island
The Chesterfield Kings have a new single out on Spotify. “Fly the Astral Plane” is loaded with glorious fuzz and has a Yardbirds feel to it. The other song is a cover of the 1966 Who song “So Sad About Us.” It’s on Wicked Cool Records.
What we have here is The Stones “Wild Horses” done by The Skids. This is the first single from an album of Stones covers by Punk groups. It’s a follow up to the Pink Floyd cover album. The Skids had to change things around a lot to punch this song up a bit. To preorder the vinyl on the Cleopatra website
Here's some good shows coming up .....
July 4, 2024 (Thursday) Another awesome Scurvy Dog Mega Show - check out the FB page for bands etc. July 6, 2024 (Saturday) Anthony Kaczynski and Dave Harrison each play a set of original songs and choice covers with solo acoustic guitar at The Village Social Club in Brookline Village - 8-10PM. FB page. July 11, 2024 (Thursday) Ragz to Stitchez, Typhoid Mary, The Jacklights, and Vallory Falls for a of punk at AS220 - Provi, RI ! Doors at 8:30, show from 9pm-midnight, $10 cover!! FB page for tix etc. July 13, 2024 (Saturday) A Crash Course for the Ravers has Double Star and Simon Ritt as guests to celebrate Johnny Thunders birthday 1-4PM on WMFO FB page July 13, 2024 (Saturday) Rum Bar Records & Los Coronas CC Present Diablogato's Party with Screamin' Rebel Angels, Diablogato. The Dogmatics, Girl With A Hawk at the Porch in Medford 1-6PM. FB page
July 13, 2024 (Saturday) Bim Skala Bim 40th Anniversary Show with Void Union, Duppy Conquerors, Some Ska Band, and Brunt of It -8:00 PM | Crystal Ballroom at Somerville Theatre. Two shows! Special guests, FB page. July 13, 2024 (Saturday) Linnea's Garden, the Worst, Mattias, and CJ Honey at State Park in Kendall Sq. Linnea's Garden will be celebrating the release of their new single, "Cherry"! July 13, 2024 (Saturday) Psychic Weight, Neighborhood Shit, Latch, Silent Spring and more at the Peabody VFW in 20 Stevens St Peabody, MA. July 14, 2024 (Sunday) Cape Crush, Loser's Circle, Blame it on Whitman, Dear Maryanne at The Midway for a 3PM Matinee July 17, 2024 (Wednesday) Gossip Collar, Frogs, Burn Kit at The Silhouette July 19, 2024 (Friday) Bash At the Beach With WORM, Rockin' Bob Punk Band, Spectacle, Scotty Saints & The True Believers, Screw Cart at The C Note, Hull FB page July 20, 2024 (Saturday) A Crash Course for the Ravers has The Stigmatics on WMFO 1-4PM. FB page.
July 24, 2024 (Wednesday) Bad Mary, Double Star, Thigh Scrapers, Stigmatics at The Middle East Up _ FB page July 24, 2024 (Wednesday) The Hi-End, Tim McCoy Rock Quartet, J Prozac Band at The Square Root, July 25-28, 2024 Nice Fest is back! It's got LOADS of bands - this year it's at the Rockwell, and Crystall Ballroom AND outside at the Grove st parking lot. Too many great bands to list here but check out their FB event page and website. July 26, 2024 (Friday) Carrot Flowers, Toadpatrol, Bleach The Sky, Ruffian Dick at The Union Tavern - FB page July 26 & 27, 2024 Rock Garden Showcase with Adam M Sherman, Jennifer Tefft & The Strange, Robin Lane, Little Billy Lost, Ricky Rat, Smitt E. Smitty, Hummingbird Syndicate, Crow Follow, Captain Easychord, Satch Kerans Band at Warehouse XI Union Sq Somerville - check the FB page for what bands what night
July 27, 2024 (Saturday) The Dogmatics, The Grommets and Kevin Patey’s new party band The Carnivals at The New World Tavern, Plymouth. July 27 & 28, 2024 (Sat & Sun) Worcester Punk Rock Flea Market at the Hotel Vernon! Market 1 to 7pm, Bands 4PM, Saturday bands: Ratlord, The Lousekateers, Leatherrax -Sunday Bands: Jonee Earthquake Band, Bangzz, Dando Fever Facebook page LOADS of very cool vendors. July 28, 2024 (Sunday) Matt Burns Memorial Show with Frank Rowe, Larry Newman, Spike, Captain Easychord w/Schlemiel, Kenne Highland's Air Force, Classic Ruins, The Reverand Joseph Fagan and his Deacons of Love, Vogon Poets, Shiny Beasts, Crow Follow at The Burren 7-10PM FB page. July 28, 2024 (Sunday) Linnea's Garden, the Worst, Mattias, and CJ Honey at State Park in Kendall Square. Linnea's Garden will be celebrating the release of their new single, "Cherry"! FB page August 3, 2024 (Saturday) Plymouth Punk Rock Market - 60+ vendors selling weird stuff for weird people - Live music, Craft beer and a food truck (or 2), Vinyl records, vintage clothing and housewares, original art, handmade, jewelry, oddities, and more! Noon to 5PM All ages, FREE EVENT at Mayflower Brewing Company. FB page
August 3, 2024 (Saturday) Mayhem In Manchester!! with WORM (their 21th Anniversary Show), Street Trash, WarGraves, Gagger at The Shaksheen Pub - FB page August 9, 2024 (Friday) Barrence Whitfield & Sal Baglio’s Giant Rocket Roll Show! at The Bull Run in Shirley - FB page. August 10, 2024 (Saturday) Bootleg Dan presents The Midnight Callers, Freeloader, Rattle Bones at The Burren 6PM show!! August 11, 2024 (Sunday) Brunt of It, PWRUP, Sgt Scag, Threat Level Burgundy at The Midway for a 3PM matinee August 15, 2024 (Thursday) Bootleg Dan presents John Powhida CD Release Party, Shang Hi Los, The I Want You, at The Burren 6:15pm show August 17, 2024 (Saturday) Booze Cruz'n on tha Harbah- yes on a boat with The Queers, Unnatural Axe and Stop Calling Me Frank - boat leaves at 4PM SHARP- Rowes Wharf - FB page for info and tix August 17, 2024 (Saturday) Tiger Bomb and Muck & The Mires at Belfast Harbor Festival After Party - The Marshall Wharf, Belfast, ME
August 18, 2024 (Sunday) Surf at The Midway with The Electric Heaters, The Nebulas, The Beachcombovers, Kioea 3PM matinee August 18, 2024 (Sunday) The Peelers, The Pourmen, The Gobshites at Alchemy in Prov. RI 7PM -FB page. September 6, 2024 (Friday) Bootleg Dan presents: Sharp Class, Muck and the Mires, The Chelsea Curve at The Burren - FB page September 6, 2024 (Friday) Bootleg Dan presents: Sharp Class, The Chelsea Curve at Parkside Lounge NYC September 8, 2024 (Sunday) The Somerville Rock And Roll Yard Sale is in Union Square Somerville https://www.facebook.com/SomervilleRockAndRollYardSale September 8, 2024 (Sunday) The Lowell Summer Music Series has Belly playing Boarding House Park: 40 French St., Tickets September 14, 2024 (Saturday) Bootleg Dan presents: The Prime Movers Reunion!! at The Burren 7PM show
September 19, 2024 (Thursday) Legendary Queer-core Pop Rockers Pansy Division, The Fatal Flaw and Gene Dante at Faces in Malden September 19, 2024 (Thursday) Bootleg Dan presents: Arthur Alexander Band, The Glimmer Stars, Tiger Bomb at Blue in Portland, ME September 20, 2024 (Friday) Tiger Bomb and The Nervous Eaters at Sonia September 20, 2024 (Friday) Bootleg Dan presents:Arthur Alexander Band, The Glimmer Stars, Crow Follow, at The Burren 6:15pm show October 26, 2024 (Saturday) Tiger Bomb, The Cocktail Slippers, Stupidity, Muck & The Mires at The Bayside Bowl, Portland, ME FB page
CONTACT US AT....misslynbgn@yahoo.com Send us your gig listings, your anything else you've got!! You want your CD reviewed?? Contact us for that too.
|
On last week’s Rising show on WMFO (Tuesday at 8pm)
Skybar had Sara Billingsly and Joanie
Lynch of American Ocelot in to talk. The band has
been around for over a year now after their debut at The Jungle in April of
last year.
July 4, 2024 (Thursday)
Impact Driver, Moose Knuckle, Helldog, Impulse Control,
Working Poor at O'Brien's
July 13, 2024 (Saturday) Rockin
Bob Punk Band, Kermit's Finger, The Grommets, Lobo Hombre at The Midway
for a 3PM matinee show 
July 24, 2024 (Wednesday) Sloppy
Seconds, The Queers, The Raging Nathans - at The Middle East Down
July 27, 2024 (Saturday) Honkeyball,
White Dynomite, Welsh Boys, Hammered Saint, Catching Hell at the Middle
East down - 7PM!
August 3, 2024 (Saturday) Cheap
Cassettes, Chelsea Curve and Shang Hi Los at The Square
Root - 
August 18, 2024 (Sunday) Boston
Punk Rock Trivia at The Armory 
September 14, 2024 (Saturday) Tiger
Bomb and The Nervous Eaters at Askew Provi RI
ACEBOOK